Liverpool in three-way battle for Hammers starlet

LIVERPOOL have entered the race for exciting West Ham teenager Reece Oxford, according to several sources.

The youngster – who can play in both midfield and the centre of defence – attracted rave reviews at the start of the season when he became the youngest debutant in the Hammers’ history, starring in a midfield role in their 2-0 win at Arsenal.

He backed that up with a cameo appearance shortly after as West Ham hammered Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield, going on to make 12 appearances for the first team throughout the campaign.

The Mirror claims: “The Reds will vie with both Man City and Man United to secure his signature.”

The report also says it’s not the first time Liverpool have tried to sign Oxford – they failed with a bid last summer before he’d even made his Hammers debut.

Simon Mullock writes on This Is Anfield that Liverpool “failed with an ambitious attempt to snatch the 17-year-old away from the Hammers last summer,” but are set to make another move for the versatile youngster this summer.

Not surprisingly, West Ham are desperate to keep hold of their starlet who has two years left on his current contract and have offered him a new deal.

Oxford, however, hasn’t committed yet and wants to be assured he’ll get more playing time next season before deciding whether to sign the deal.

With time on the pitch clearly a major factor in Oxford’s decision, Liverpool could have a slight edge over their north-west rivals.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has already shown he’s prepared to put his trust in youngsters, whereas incoming managers Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho at City and United respectively have tended to favour experienced players in the past.